Earlier this year I spent a day shooting and snacking on ridiculously yummy healthy food for Dr. Josh Axe’s new cookbook as well as a shoot for the cover.
Congrats and best wishes at it hits the shelves! Interested in purchasing the cookbook? Visit his website to order!
Food and product photography in Franklin and Nashville, TN
Filed under: Commercial, Headshots, Uncategorized on December 6th, 2010 | No Comments »
In this digital age where everyone has cameras, scanners, and home “photo printers,” we hear this all the time: How do professional photographers charge $X for an 8×10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drugstore? Simply put, the customer is not just paying for the actual photograph; they’re paying for time and expertise.
The average one-hour portrait session
First, let’s look at the actual work involved:
You can see how a one-hour session easily turns into an eight-hour day or more from start to finish. So when you see a personal photographer charging a $250 session fee for a one-hour photo shoot, the client is NOT paying them $250 per hour.
The eight-hour wedding
A wedding photographer typically meets with the bride and groom several times before and after the wedding. And it’s not uncommon to end up with 1,000 – 2,000 photos, much more than a portrait session. Many photographers spend 40-60 hours working on one eight-hour wedding if you look at the time that is truly involved. Again, when a wedding photographer charges $4,000 for eight hours of coverage, clients are NOT paying them $500 an hour!
(Don’t forget that the photographer runs the wedding day to some extent. A comfortable, confident wedding photographer can make a wedding day go more smoothly.)
The expertise and cost of doing business
Shooting professional photography is a skill acquired through years of experience. Even though a DSLR now costs under $1,000, taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.
Most personal photographers take years to go from buying their first camera to making money with photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera, there is a mountain of other equipment and software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website, etc. And don’t forget backdrops, props, rent, utilities, insurance, etc!
In addition to the financial investment, photographers actually have to have people skills to make subjects comfortable in front of the camera. Posing people to look their best is a skill by itself. You could argue that posing is a more important skill than actually knowing how to use the camera. A poorly exposed photo can be saved, but a badly posed photo cannot.
The chain store photo studio
Chain stores do have their place. For a very cheap price you can run in, shoot some quick photos, and be done with it. But you get what you pay for.
Consider the time and effort that a personal photographer puts into photographs, compared to a chain store. Store sessions last just a few minutes, while a personal photographer takes the time to get to know the people, makes them comfortable, makes them laugh. If a baby is crying at a chain store, they often don’t have the time (or the patience) to wait because everyone is in a hurry.
The truth is that many chain store studios lose money. In fact, Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios in 2007 because of the financial drain. What the chain stores bank on is a client coming in for quick, cheap photos…and while there, spending $200 on other items. They are there to get you in the door.
The real deal
Professional, personal photographers are just that—professionals. No different than a mechanic, dentist, doctor, or electrician. But a personal photographer often becomes a friend, someone who documents a family for generations with professional, personal photographs of cherished memories.
Maybe we need to help clients look at it this way: A pair of scissors costs $1.50 at the drugstore. Still, most people will gladly pay a lot more to hire a professional hair dresser to cut their hair.
The added attention and quality that a personal photographer gives is worth every penny.
Conclusion
We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs, created by a Personal Photographer are so expensive.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Thanks to Caught on Film Photography for a great article!
Filed under: Studio News on October 20th, 2010 | No Comments »
Headshots are easy, right? Just aim and click. Actually they are one of the most challenging shoots, in no other setting is every aspect and feature of a person’s face and the photographer’s skill and knowledge on display with no distraction of having a beautiful or interesting background to hide lack of correct lighting, focus, and exposure.
Some of my secrets for getting headshots and up close portraits that pop?
1. Focus on the eyes
The eyes are the window of the soul. Guiding the facial expression of the subject is crucial to capturing life in the eyes and the expression. Most people are not professional actors or models and may feel a little uncomfortable in front of the camera at first. Taking time to make people feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the lens is so important for expressions that look natural and appropriate to the style of the portrait need instead of posed and awkward.
2. Correct choice of lens and camera settings
The correct lens choice can take a good headshot and make it stellar. Depth of field, color saturation, exposure, avoiding lens distortion – all of these converge for beautiful and effective close up portraits.
3. It’s all about angles
Close up headshots are all about getting the right angle to set up the look and feel for the particular style of headshot needed. Most of the population does not have perfectly proportioned faces and straight on shots are almost always not the most flattering angle. Photographing women by shooting from a slightly higher angle looking down emphasizes eyes and makes the features more feminine and delicate. For men, shooting slightly up strengthens the face and makes it more masculine. Even when shooting extremely close up, the placement of the shoulders and lower body can have a big effect on the final outcome.
4. Lighting
In headshots and up close portraits lighting is everything. Diffused light, hair lights, natural light – all of these need to converge effectively to show skin glowing with health without highlighting blemishes and wrinkles while making eyes sparkle. Inexperienced photographers will often try to fix incorrect lighting in Photoshop but the best professional headshots start with lighting appropriate to the subject and the style of portrait.
5. Appropriate photo editing
Many portrait and headshot photographers in the Nashville area over process and edit headshots until the subject looks very different than their natural self. Good headshot editing involves enhancing natural skin, hair, and eyes – not artificially changing or over softening to cover incorrect technique.
Ready to book a session with an experienced and creative portrait/headshot photographer in the Franklin, Brentwood, and Nashville areas? Contact Allison Hendrickson Design & Photography today!
Headshot tips for photographers
Filed under: Commercial, Headshots on September 6th, 2010 | No Comments »
This was my first visit as a wedding photographer to Kennesaw Farms in Gallatin, Tennessee and I can’t wait til next time! The grounds were beautiful, the weather sunny and very warm, and April and Paul were absolutely delightful. An outdoor wedding under the clocktower was intimate and romantic. Paul has to win the award for the groom with the most dance moves! Best wishes to you both!
The Baber House is a beautiful mansion and the perfect setting inside and out for the wedding ceremony and reception, for more information visit their website!
Outdoor wedding Gallatin
Kennesaw Farms wedding photos
Summer outdoor wedding in Gallatin
Filed under: Weddings on August 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »
Trash the Dress is a new trend in wedding photo sessions generally done after the big wedding day. What is great about a Trash the Dress photo session is that you can shoot the photographs anywhere you want because you won’t have to worry about keeping the dress spotlessly clean for your ceremony and reception.
The best part of these sessions is that it gives brides the freedom to choose new places and creative options to take photographs without worrying what will happen to the dress. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun without the stress and excitement of your wedding day schedule of events.
Trash the Dress Sessions include a preliminary meeting so we can find out exactly what type of images you are wanting from your session and plan the locations and shots. This is your time to get creative! Trash the Dress Sessions almost always include special lighting in additional to natural light to capture the perfect images. The sky is the limit and we’re here to making your ideas a reality!
Do I have to ruin my dress during my session? Not at all! Many people opt for sessions that run the risk of getting the dress a little mussed around the edges but nothing actually damaging to the dress. Or if you like the idea of a really messy session but don’t want to ruin your dress you can always purchase a second dress cheaply at a thrift store, Craigslist, or on clearance that you can mess up for your photos without worrying about damaging the beautiful gown you were married in.
Nashville and the surrounding areas have incredible areas to do a Trash the Dress shoot from walking the streets of downtown Nashville to running through Centennial Park, jumping in the Harpeth River in downtown Franklin, or walking through fields in Leipers Fork.
Trash the Dress Sessions in Nashville and the surrounding areas
Trash the Dress ideas to get you started:
Filed under: Weddings on August 16th, 2010 | No Comments »
While every bride thinks about her wedding photos, have you considered having photos taken during your rehearsal dinner? Wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner photography are becoming increasingly popular add-ons to our popular wedding photography packages. The bride and groom are surrounded by their closest friends and family and everyone is relaxed and happy in such an intimate atmosphere. As a photographer I particularly enjoy them as it gives me yet another opportunity to get to know the personality and style of the bride and groom so that I can anticipate the special moments and their personal style during the big day.
Sarah and Bobby had a western themed rehearsal dinner at the Musician’s Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville, TN. Guests were provided with cowboy hats, red handkerchiefs, and a live band played fun folk and country music for dancing after dinner.
Themed wedding rehearsals are so much fun, some of the most popular seem to be western themes (especially in the Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Murfreesboro areas), a Mexican Fiesta, Hawaian Luau, Vintage, Retro, Summer Picnic, and Victorian Teas. Run with your imagination and your personal style!
Interested in using the Musician’s Hall of Fame for your wedding rehearsal or reception? Visit their website at: http://www.musicianshalloffame.com/facilities/ for more information. The Musicians Hall of Fame was named Meeting Professionals International – Tennessee Venue of the Year 2008, stop by and check them out and you’ll see why!
Wedding rehearsal photos at the Musician's Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN
Filed under: Wedding Tips, Weddings on August 9th, 2010 | No Comments »
As a musician, publicity head shots, promotional portraits and cover art photography are often the first impression your fans have of you in your media kit, website, or CD/EP cover.
Highly effective promotional headshots start with a photographer who knows how to capture your style, image, and what you want your photos to accomplish. Contact me via www.allisonhendrickson.com for more information and prices if you are a musician in the Nashville area looking for professional headshots!
Musician promotional head shots
Michael Pratt has developed a love and passion for music that is un-paralleled. Since first starting the drums at age 12, Michael has since developed an affinity for rhythm and natural talent for playing percussion. Throughout middle and high school, he played with the concert and jazz bands, as well as the middle and high school youth group worship teams. It was in these settings that his love for God and passion for music awakened the deep desires of his heart, modifying music and worship from an extra-curricular activity to a life calling. Upon early graduation from high school, he started college at the age of 17 and was immediately accepted into the college percussion and mallet ensembles, learning music at an advanced level.
Throughout his higher education years, which included getting Bachelors and Masters degrees in percussion performance, Michael has had many tremendous opportunities to study with some of the world’s best percussion and drum set players. Some of his former teachers include classical percussionists Dr. John Pennington, Dr. Christopher Norton, and NSO percussionist Richard Graber. Drum set teachers include Zoro, Chester Thompson, and Jim Riley. Michael has freelanced drum set for many years, playing with such groups as Lacey Black and Red Rhapsody, Augusta Vain, Rebecca Sorrenson, Cirvant and SOHA, and many jazz/funk groups. He has recorded 6 albums and played hundreds of shows at various venues. He has knowledge and ability to play various styles of music, including funk, latin, hip-hop, jazz, swing, shuffle, blues, rock, metal, brazilian, Cuban, techno, disco, and numerous others. Most importantly, his passion and enthusiasm that are clearly evident in his performing make him one of the more exciting drummers around.
Check out his website for more info!
Media kit photos for musicians in Nashville, TN
Filed under: Commercial, Headshots on August 2nd, 2010 | No Comments »
Who doesn’t love babies? Tyler was no exception with his perfect little fingers and toes! Newborn photo session are often really challenging but so worth the patience and work it can take to get the perfect photo.
There is lots of preparation to getting ready for newborn sessions. From looking for unique props, setting up equipment, loading up my car, and planning out poses and ideas ahead of time I can assure you that your session isn’t viewed as “another session” just like your baby isn’t “just another newborn”. I prepare differently for each session and I hope it shows.
I do everything that I can to make mom, dad, and baby as comfortable as possible when I arrive, but there are also things that you can do as a parents beforehand to prepare for your newborn shoot in the Franklin, Nashville, Brentwood, and Spring Hill areas. I also travel so if you are located beyond my standard range contact me!
Tips for your newborn photography session
• Newborn portraits are unique in that they can’t be scheduled months out, and often I’m booked out months, and even a year in advance but if you let me know within a few months of your due date I will build time into my schedule around that timeframe for your session.
• Call me soon after you deliver so you can arrange a time for the session. Ideally the session should take place within 5-14 days after birth. Infants older than two weeks tend to be much more difficult to photograph as they are more fussy and resistant to coaxing into positions.
• If the session will be taking place at your home – do not worry about the state of your house. You just had a baby. I do not care if dishes are piled up the sink and clothes basket runs over!
• Make sure your baby’s diaper isn’t too tight or diaper marks around the legs and waist may show in the photos.
• Have your house warm. Ideally, you’ll want the thermostat set around 80-85. For the adults it will be hot, but the baby will be warm and happy.
• Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – family heirlooms, toys, monogrammed blankets, etc. I’ll go through these with you to determine what will look best in the pictures.
• If you’d like pictures taken of the baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains and shades are open to let in lots of natural light. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
• Decide if you’d like pictures taken with your baby, or if want pictures of only the baby. Ahead of time many parents assume they’ll be too tired to get ready to be in photos but most change their minds once we start. Often just a simple neutral colored t-shirt is all the dressing up you’ll need for beautiful photos as a family. You’ll always be glad you did!
• Make sure the baby has a full belly before I arrive. Often we’ll take a quick break or two for a ‘snack’ as needed.
• After the baby is full, make sure they are burped well. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in just a few moments.
• Be patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
• Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. Likewise, if you have ideas that you’d like to try please let me know! Often parent’s will email me with several images that they especially like or have a few examples ready on their computer when they arrive.
Newborn Photographer in Nashville, TN
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Filed under: Children, Family Photos, Newborn Photos on July 26th, 2010 | No Comments »
I was privileged to take Jill and Ben’s wedding photos at Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN a town a short drive southeast of Nashville. This couple is a perfect example that if you are beautiful on the inside, you can’t help but be beautiful on the outside.
They remind me that my job as a photographer is not just shooting images but about people. A wedding is a sacred event filled with memories of the past, stories of the present, and promises of the future. The fact that I have the responsibility to capture the essence of life in images throughout the day is responsibility that I treasure, not a job that I punch a timeclock on. Seeing the joy and happy tears of families and friends coming together amid the hustle and bustle and sound of laugher and the brush of satin and tulle is always an honor.
Thank you to all of the brides and grooms and families that entrust me with capturing your day!
And best wishes to Ben and Jill!
Outdoor wedding portraits in Murfreesboro, TN
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Wedding Reception Photos
Filed under: Weddings on July 19th, 2010 | No Comments »
Crystal and Gary are a such a fun couple! We spent a great afternoon in downtown Franklin taking engagement photos at The Factory, one of my favorite places in the Nashville area for photo sessions.
Engagement photo sessions are available as part of your wedding package or as separate packages. Ask how you can get your session in the Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, or Spring Hill area for free with select wedding packages!
Crystal and Gary - Engaged
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Filed under: Engagement Photos on July 12th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
